Photographic background or accessory



(No Model) Patented June 13, 1882..

WITNESSES ATTORN EYS Nv PETERS PhutmLiilmgmpher. Washmgtorl, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. MORHISER, OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.

PHOTOGRAPHIC BACKGROUND OR ACCESSORY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,573, dated June 13, 1882.

Application filed March 16, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. MoRHIsER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Dubuque, in the county of Dubuque and State of Iowa, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Photographic Backgrounds or Accessories; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a side view ofa horse, showing my improvement, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same.

This invention has relation to photographic backgrounds or accessories; and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A represents the image of a horse, cut out of flat material, such as stout pasteboard, metal, thin wood, or other substance, covered with cloth or paper, and painted to represent a living horse.

B indicates a support, made of heavier material and sufficiently stout to bear the weight of a person. To the top of the support a crosspiece, 0, is attached, and on this is placed a saddle, 1), or the cross-piece is shaped to form the seat of a saddle, the leathers and trappings of which on the front may be painted or made in flat form and secured to the image.

E represents a prop or brace, usually hinged to the support B, and provided with the pivoted foot-bar F, the ends G of which, projecting in front and rear, serve to hold the image upright.

H indicates the scenery-piece, which is secured to the support or upright B, and covers the same in front, so that it is not apparent in the photographic picture.

As usually constructed, the brace and the foot F are designed to be folded against the back of the image, so that the entire article will be flat in form and can be readily hung against the wall or stored in small space.

For general purposes in the photographers room, it is preferred that the head, neck, and leg-portions of the horse or other animal shall be jointed or pivoted, as indicated at K in the drawings, the jointed portions being provided with flat connecting-strips L, which act as (No model.)

] friction-bearings to hold the parts in position after adjustment.

L indicates a slotted arm pivoted by one end at a to the cross-piece and engaging a clamp-screw, b, on the upright or support. By means of this arm the body portion of the animal can be arranged and held in different angular positions. When the body portion is made adjustable in this manner the cross-piece at the top of the supportis hinged or pivoted thereto, as indicated at c. The front or exposed part of each portion of the image is painted, the painting being done either on the material of which tbeimage is formed or on a covering of cloth or paper; or, in lieu of paint ing, the skin of the animal dressed with the hair on may be employed for covering the exposed parts. The painting is, however, more durable, not being liable to the attacks of insects. The mane ot' the horse can readily be arranged to cover the joints of the neck portion, and the other members will be concealed to a greater or less extent by means of the trappings employed.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. As a new article of manufacture, a photographic background or accessory consisting of a life-size image of an animal cut from fiat material, the members being jointed to the body and painted or covered in imitation of the natural parts, the joints having friction devices to hold them to various adjustments, the image having a suitable support for posing it and the person to be photographed, as set forth.

2. A lit'e-sizeimage of an animal for photographers use, having the support B, cross-bar O, brace E, pivoted foot-bar F, and concealing scenery-piece H, substantially as specified.

3. A life-size image of an animal for photographers use, having jointed members, support B, pivoted cross-piece G, hinged brace E, and foot-bar F, slotted arm L, clamp-screw b, and concealing scenery piece H, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. MORHISE It.

Witnesses:

1-1. H. Mnann, W. K. DE LORIMIER. 

